Germany

From modern cities to medieval villages, outdoor adventure to vibrant nightlife, Germany has something for everyone. Explore the dynamic capital of Berlin with its many museums, restaurants, clubs and bars, or visit Hamburg, a harbor city with one of Germany’s most diverse populations. Spend a few days in Bavaria, one of Germany's top holiday destinations, and be charmed by its small villages, Baroque churches, castles and beautiful landscape.

Art and culture

The birthplace of artists, writers and thinkers such as Beethoven, Goethe, Albert Einstein and Karl Marx, Germany's influence on Western culture is tremendous. Throughout the country, you can find excellent museums, galleries and exhibitions showcasing German art, innovations and discoveries — both old and new. The Bauhaus style of architecture was born in Germany and mixes in with the Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance styles of the past.

Outdoor activities — from the Danube to the Alps

If you're an outdoor enthusiast, you'll find plenty of activities in Germany to keep you occupied. Take a cruise down the Danube, Rhine and Elbe rivers, hike the Bavarian Alps during the summer and ski in the winter.

Explore parks filled with forests and mountains and boat across lakes ringed by fairy-tale chapels and villages. Escape to the resort islands of Sylt and Rugen for some boating, windsurfing and people watching.

Beer and wine

Germany is a beer lovers paradise, and the Germans produce a large variety of quality beers ranging from lighter beers such as Pilsner to darker beers like Doppelbock, with 6% alcohol.

Germany is also home to the oldest brewery in the world: a former monastery located just outside of Munich. Munich, the regional capital of Bavaria, hosts the annual Oktoberfest festival, where beer and traditional food take center stage.

As popular as beer is, Germany is also a major producer of wines, predominantly white wines such as Riesling. A visit to Germany's charming wine country is well worth a visit—both for the wine and the scenery in the area.